A Genealogist's Guide to Parliamentary Records
Family History Resources in the Parliamentary Archive
Aug 19, 2009
The Parliamentary Archive is held at the Palace of Westminster in London. Records from both Houses have been preserved and are available for the public to research, by appointment only, in the Palace’s Search Room. The ones of greatest use to genealogists include divorce and naturalisation bills, records of Home Guard service during World War II and apprenticeship papers.
Parliamentary Divorce and Naturalisation Bill Archives
From 1670 until 1857 a married couple could only be divorced by Private Act of Parliament. After 1857 when the Matrimonial Causes Act came into being, divorce cases were generally delegated to the lesser courts. The Parliamentary Archive holds details of all such Private Acts of divorce for England, Ireland and the Colonies (Scotland had its own system).
Up until 1844, any foreigner who wanted to gain British nationality had to take go through the Parliamentary process. This was achieved either by a Public Act naming types of people or through a Private Naturalisation Act where specific names were given. Proof was also required that the person had taken Holy Communion within the Church of England up until 1829. These Sacramental Certificates and Naturalisation Bills can be examined at this archive.
Palace of Westminster War Records
World War II (WWII) records held at the archives include papers relating to the Palace of Westminster Home Guard. These records, which will be of interest to the family historian who may have had an ancestor employed at the Palace during that period, include records of service, financial papers and general correspondence.
There are also two volumes of war memorial papers. One contains the names and biography of peers and officers of the House of Lords and their sons killed in both the Great War and WWII. The second contains details of Members (and their children) and staff of the House of Commons who were killed in WWII.
Miscellaneous Genealogical Records Held at Westminster Palace
Other records which may be of use to a genealogist that are held at the Parliamentary Archives include:
- List of prisoners in Fleet Prison in 1729
- Inclosure Acts to 1845 (they may contain names of commoners who have rights to cut turf)
- Ratcliff Charity Trust papers 1730-1851 which include apprenticeship indentures.
The Ratcliff Charity, according to A Dictionary of London and its Environs written in 1831 by James Elmes, was set up in 1537 by a Sheriff of London, one Nicholas Gibson. The charity built and ran a school in the Stepney area of the city for the purpose of educating up to 60 poor children.
Parliamentary Archive Access and Opening Times
Access to the archives at the Palace of Westminster is free but visitors need to make an appointment rather than turn up on spec. The Search Room is generally open from 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday except Bank Holidays and documents can be produced between those times except over lunch (12.30 to 2pm) and after 4pm. Further details can be found by visiting the Parliamentary Archives website.
Other Sources:
Guide to the Records of Parliament, Maurice F. Bond, 1971
 |
